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Friday, April 04, 2008

Researcher raises alarm about biometric hacking with "biologger" tool

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/263482389/

While attempts to bypass biometric security measures are certainly nothing new, a researcher from London-based Information Risk Management is now raising an alarm about a new area of biometric hacking, and he's even gone so far as to release the source code for proof-of-concept tool to really drive the point home. As PC World reports, IRM's Matthew Lewis has demonstrated what he describes as a "biologging" system, which actually intercepts and captures biometric data as it passes between the biometric scanner and the processing server, during which time it apparently isn't encrypted on many systems. That, Lewis says, opens up the possibility of so-called "man-in-the-middle" attacks," although there is the slight problem that the biologger needs to actually be inserted into the network in order to do its thing. Even so, Lewis says that such dangers do exist, and he's hoping that the release of the tool will encourage manufacturers to beef up their security.

[Image courtesy IRM white paper]

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AOC intros format-lovin' X600 portable media player

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/263583125/

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

To say it's been awhile since we've seen anything noteworthy from AOC would be a gross understatement, but the Chinese firm is hitting back with a sleek new PMP that just dares you to feed it off-the-wall formats. Besides boasting an expansive 3-inch 400 x 240 resolution display, this bugger handles RM, RMVB, FLV, AVI, MOV, ASF, MP4, WMV, MPG, WMA, MP3, APE and FLAC files (among others) and offers up an FM tuner, text / photo viewer, 4GB of storage space and TV-out functionality. Fairly potent for 599 yuan ($85), huh?

[Via PMPToday]

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Logitec's Bluetooth 2.1+EDR adapter offers 300 foot range and 5x more battery life

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/263836140/

We know what you're thinking: Jeebus, not another Bluetooth adapter Engadget, slow news day? But if you check that snark for a moment, you'll notice that this ¥2,280 (about $22) Logitec adapter is a Bluetooth 2.1+EDR + Class 1 device. That means an operating range up to 300 feet and all the goodies that come from 2.1. In other words, easier pairing and up to 5x longer battery life for like-speced Bluetooth keyboards and mice. It also supports 15 different Bluetooth profiles (9 on Macs) including your favorites for stereo audio and handsfree devices. Now that Bluetooth 2.1 is beginning to trickle out into retail, you won't be buying 2.0 gear anymore will you?

[Via Impress]

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Monday, March 31, 2008

Orange Dream's brainwave management software gets you closer to the Matrix

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/261295666/

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets

We'll be honest -- there are quite a few things about the Cyber MC brainwave management solution that remain unclear to us, but it's probably for the best. Korean startup Orange Dreams has apparently concocted some sort of eyewear / software combo that can control your brainwaves and calm your nerves, convince you that you really aren't craving nicotine or make you believe that fruits and vegetables really are more delicious than a Cadbury Cream Egg. We're not about to delve into how this thing actually intends to work, but those unafraid can give it a go next month.

[Via Hallyu Tech]

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Cybook Gen3 e-book reader gets reviewed

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/261442288/

Filed under: Handhelds

Bookeen's Cybook Gen3 e-book reader has been a long time coming, but now that it's out in the wild we're finally starting to get some reviews of the device, including this fairly thorough one from the folks at The Future of Things. Unfortunately for those looking forward to the reader, they found it to be quite a mixed bag. On the upside, they found the device to be thin, light, small and fast, with it also boasting solid battery life and, most importantly, a screen that's "very comfortable" to read, even outdoors. They were also impressed with the Cybook's RSS support, and the Mobipocket format used for e-books. On the downside, the page flip mechanism proved to be "cumbersome," and they found that the current firmware left a lot to be desired, with them even going so far as to say that it felt like it was "rushed to the market too soon." They were also somewhat disappointed by the lack of SDHC support, and a lack of wireless connectivity (be it 3G or WiFi). They also point out, however, that none of the e-book readers out there are perfect, so if you're in the market for one you'll just have to pick the trade-offs you're willing to live with.

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Go With The Flow

Source: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/yankodesign/~3/261223270/

There is a wind blowing from the east and it smells a little like wasabi, ginger and fresh paint. It turns out its just Mazda showing off its latest design direction, the Mazda “Taiki.” Inspired by the shape and flow of wind itself, Mazda declares the exterior lines are inspired by wind flowing through a Hagoromo, the “flowing robes that enable a celestial maiden to fly.” I never got to that level of Final Fantasy but I guess I get that reference. Their challenge was to create “a design that visually expresses the flow of air” and visually expresses the atmosphere - called taiki in Japanese. Anyway you look at it, Mazda’s concept is forward thinking and a breath of fresh air in a slightly stale auto show season.

Designer: Mazda

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Sunday, March 30, 2008

NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GTX triple-SLI rig benched

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/260917929/

Filed under: Desktops, Gaming

Looks like the first NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GTX cards have made their way out in the world -- officially announced or not -- and TweakTown's got the benches. Performance gains seem marginal in triple-SLI over dual, but hey, those drivers probably aren't finished and these cards aren't official, so we recommend withholding judgment until it's all legit.

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Japan's QR Codes Being Tested in SF [Qr Codes]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/259937016/japans-qr-codes-being-tested-in-sf

You know those QR codes that Japan has? The ones that look like fancy bar codes that you take a picture of with your cellphone that brings up some bit of info or trivia on the display. Those are being tested in SF right now on 500+ restaurants/shops/businesses reviewed by Citysearch.

Once you snap a picture of the code, your phone will bring up the Citysearch's review page, letting you know whether you should go in. Also, a tourism company is shoving these onto some tourist locations, bringing up a 15 to 20-second audio snippet of what you're looking at. If they could stick this on things like busses, taxis, waitresses, drug dealers and prostitutes (all common in SF), we'd gladly use this service. [SFGate via New Launches]

Linux Last Man Standing In PWN 2 OWN Thunderdome [Contests]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/gizmodo/full/~3/260415916/linux-last-man-standing-in-pwn-2-own-thunderdome

The dust has settled on PWN 2 OWN and Linux FTW! The Ubuntu-equipped Sony VAIO was the only computer to get through the tournament unscathed, managing to elude the assembled hackers. On Thursday the MacBook Air was the first to go, followed the next day by the Vista-running Fujitsu, conquered by Shane Macaulay. No one, but no one, however, was able to bring down the penguin. [ PWN 2 OWN via PC World ]